Walker went throughout most of the season layoff without issues in the surgically repaired knee but starting to experience issues again when returning to Boston for individual ramped up workouts. “It was definitely a pain,” Walker said of what he felt. “I can’t really explain it, but it was a pain on the side of my knee that was bothering me. I don’t know how much else I can say. Throughout my career, I haven’t missed many games, and I’ve been able to play through a lot. It was bothering me, so that was the best choice for me to make, was to sit out. Like I said, this is not normal for me, being out like this, but the smart way to go about things because I want to be at my best for my teammates and this organization when the regular season comes around and most definitely in the playoffs.”
A. Sherrod Blakely: Kemba Walker cites the team's chemistry as a possible factor in Danny Ainge's decision to keep the team intact at the trade deadline. The players really like each other. "We get along, maybe too well," Walker quipped.
Barring an unexpected setback, point guard Kemba Walker will return to the Charlotte Hornets lineup for Monday night’s home game against the Orlando Magic. Walker sat out road losses to the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat after suffering a contusion to his left shoulder against the San Antonio Spurs Nov. 25. The Hornets are on a four-game losing streak, which has dropped them to 8-13, three games out of a playoff spot with a quarter of the season complete.